NDD,
I am in agreement with your assessment of the failure to feed problem. And I've not had that particular problem either.
I believe the drill (TAP/rack) was designed to cover all the bases and meant to correct most deficiences without the need for an on-the-spot assessment. I agree with the Team Sergeant that it should not be needed in handguns. The only explaination that was ever provided to me was that of someone unintentionally hitting the mag release on a non-drop- free weapon and unseating the mag slightly.
NDD, we train to clear all malfuctions the same, to include empty weapons, only because it is nearly impossible in total darkness to know if the weapon is simply empty or has malfuntioned. The idea is that, if the weapon is NOT empty, but has in fact malfunctioned, simply reloading and making her eat will not work (atleast in the event of a more complex malfunction). In the event that the slide is felt to be locked back upon attempting to rack, simply do a reload as Reaper describes above.
Keep it coming...